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Sunday, August 7, 2011

Miracleman v1 #24, 1992 - Young Miracleman floats alongside a column of balloons wafting toward the title's logo. A celebratory theme pervades this colorfully painted cover by Barry Windsor Smith. The almost jewel-like palette is muted to allow the entire masthead to come to the fore. The title typography gets a bit lost on the lower right but doesn't detract from this competent effort. Neil Gaiman nears the end of his run, initially taking over the series from Alan Moore. This is number 2 of 2 Miracleman issues with Smith art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Smith or Miracleman issues. See also this blog's Smith checklist or Top 10 Smith comics.
- - - - - - - - - -Smith painted cover = ***
- - - - - - - - - -Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Smith issues, >more Miracleman issues

Outlaws of the West v1 #18, 1959 - Steve Ditko's unique approach sometimes seems ill-suited for the western genre. In this case, a near absence of backgrounds and details flatten the picture plane. His elongated faces and figures are well drawn, but the lack of depth and shading border on the monotonous. The graphic quality of his work may explain why his contributions to western comics are so few. One notable exception is his outstanding cover for another Charlton issue, Cheyenne Kid #10. This is number 1 of 1 Outlaws of the West issues with Ditko art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Ditko or Outlaws of the West issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist.
- - - - - - - - - -"Help Wanted” Ditko story pencils and inks 7 pages = **- - - - - - - - - -Find on ebay: >this issue,>more Ditko issues, >more Outlaws of the West issues

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Plop v1 #22, 1975 -Wally Wood contributes only a single page in this giant sized issue. Continuing his "Plop-ular Poetry" series, his work continues to be among the better efforts in the book. Equally noteworthy is "The Dirty Thief", an impressive three-page tale by Mad illustrator Sergio Aragones. Harvey Headlinker, featured on a Plopular Person of the Month page, appears to be a previously drawn, but unused cover design by Basil Wolverton. Other artists in this issue include John Albano, Vincent Alcazar and others. This is number 9 of 11 Plop issues with Wood art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Plop or Wood issues. See also this blog's Wood checklist.
- - - - - - - - - -"Plop-ular Poetry M-N-O" Wood story pencils and inks 1 page = **
- - - - - - - - - -Find on ebay: >this issue,>more Wood issues,>more Plop issues

Teen Titans v1 #20, 1969 - The mysterious new hero Joshua enlists the Titans in saving a group of troubled teenagers. Neal Adams overall does a competent job with the page layouts and pacing. His pencils, however, are watered down by the loose inks of Nick Cardy, this issue's cover artist and a terrific illustrator in his on right. Certain panels sorely lack definition, including the sparsely drawn splash on page 11. While certainly not among his best works of the late silver age, Adams' recognizable style is still evident. Interestingly, later comic magazine articles reveal that Joshua was originally scripted to be an African American, but modified at the last minute. This is number 1 of 3 Teen Titans issues with Adams art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Adams or Teen Titans issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist or Top 10 Adams comics.- - - - - - - - - -"Titans Fit The Battle Of Jericho" Adams story pencils (Nick Cardy inks) 23 pages = **- - - - - - - - - -Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Adams issues,>more Teen Titans issues

Walt Disney's Rob Roy / Four Color Comics v2 #544, 1954 - Not only does this mark Russ Manning's first Four Color Comics issue, but also the beginning of a long run of tv and film adaptations. The artist struggles on certain panels with character faces and figures. He employs more fine lines than later, more streamlined works. Still, this antique, illustrative look seems appropriate for the story. Details are abundant, from the elaborate clothing to the opening splash vista of the Scottish Highlands. Like many Dell comics of the era, the story continues all the way to back cover, with the inside back cover printed only in black and white. This is number 1 of 1 Rob Roy issues with Manning art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Manning or Rob Roy issues. See also this blog's Russ Manning checklist.- - - - - - - - - -"Cast of Walt Disney's Rob Roy" Manning inside front cover pencils and inks (black and white) = **"Rob Roy" Manning story pencils and inks34 pages (including black and white inside back cover and full color back cover) = **- - - - - - - - - -Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Manning issuesFind on amazon: >this movie

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Weird Western Tales v1 #14 featuring Jonah Hex, 1972 - Although the cover features Jonah Hex, the highlight of this issue is Alex Toth's superb back-up story. A cowboy from the old west inexplicably ambles into the 20th century, finding a world quite different from his own. The pages are drawn horizontally, forcing the reader to turn the comic sideways. This format creates a mildly disorienting effect, reinforcing the story's theme. Perfectly drawn and masterfully paced, Toth's short story is an exceptional work. Other artists in this issue include Tony DeZuniga (Jonah Hex cover and story). This is number 1 of 1 Weird Western issues with Toth art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Toth or Weird Western Tales issues. See also this blog's Toth checklist.- - - - - - - - - -"Anachronism" Toth story pencils and inks 8 pages = *****- - - - - - - - - -Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Toth issues, >more Weird Western Tales issues

Teen Titans v1 #19, 1969 - A young inventive genius aspires to be a super-villain, while the Titans as his first super-hero victims. Gil Kane begins a brief but significant run on this title. His version of Robin, Speedy, Kid Flash and Wonder Girl is more dynamic than most, further enhanced by Wally Wood's fine inking skills. Many pages have massive machines drawn into the backgrounds, which look especially good. Wood superbly delineates their details, adding a futuristic complexity. This story was later reprinted in Super-Team Family #1. Nick Cardy, a mainstay on the series since the first issue, delivers a darker story interpretation for his cover. This is number 1 of 1 Teen Titans issues with Wood art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Wood or Teen Titans issues. See also this blog's Wood checklist.- - - - - - - - - -"Stepping Stones for a Giant Killer"Wood story inks (Gil Kane pencils) 23 pages = ***- - - - - - - - - -Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Wood issues,>more Teen Titans issues

Monday, August 1, 2011

Just Married v1 #79, 1971 - A script girl in a local play finds herself unexpectedly cast in the glamorous lead role. Steve Ditko's numerous stories for Charlton include this rather obscure romance tale. Sensibly drawn, his use of heart-shaped motifs can sometimes seem excessive and unnecessary. On the positive side, his shading balances heavy areas of black with fine, carefully placed lines. All in all, the story art is comparable to Ditko's other pleasurable works of the early bronze age. Other artists in this issue include Jack Abel and Vincente Alcazar (art & cover). This is number 1 of 1 Just Married issues with Ditko art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Ditko or Just Married issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist.
- - - - - - - - - -"Dream of Love"Ditko story pencils andinks 7 pages = ***
- - - - - - - - - -Find on ebay: >this issue,>more Ditko issues,>more Just Married issues